Good welder?

[wa4x4]

I am looking to get a welder for fabbing on my truck and it would be my first welder and I have some people to teach me but I'm still a little scared . What is a good kind of welder for relatively inexpensive. I'm a high school kid so money is pretty tight.

[MiniSimp]

I'm a high school kid so money is pretty tight.

In that case, borrow when you can.

[RHG]

Ive heard good stuff about flux core welders... no need to carry around a bottle and they are a bit cheaper. Thats what im going to get

[gonzo]

I am looking to get a welder for fabbing on my truck and it would be my first welder and I have some people to teach me but I'm still a little scared . What is a good kind of welder for relatively inexpensive. I'm a high school kid so money is pretty tight.

Check this out wa4x4 http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=10580.0

[k20]

it doesnt work out any cheaper than using solid wire and gas(flux cored wire is expensive)and especially on thinner stuff it doesnt weld as nice.

Ive heard good stuff about flux core welders... no need to carry around a bottle and they are a bit cheaper. Thats what im going to get

[RHG]

Yeah but the welders themselves are cheaper. I think it would be good for someone who doesnt need to use it a whole lot. Now if your going to be doing some major fab work and/or putting together a tube frame then sure definatly buy a gas/wire set up.

[PAToyota]

Best advice is to check out the local community colleges for a welding class.  That way you can try the different types out -- oxy/acetylene, arc, MIG, TIG -- and make your own informed decision on what works for you.  You also can pick up a lot of skills quickly by watching someone who knows what they are doing.

[CTENG in KS]

Best advice is to check out the local community colleges for a welding class.  That way you can try the different types out -- oxy/acetylene, arc, MIG, TIG -- and make your own informed decision on what works for you.  You also can pick up a lot of skills quickly by watching someone who knows what they are doing.

I just got my little flux core cheapo, works nice, and I am so enamored with it that I am going to sign up for welding 1 at the tech school here in a couple weeks.  It is four classes over 4 HS semesters for your certification, which I would like to have, but I mostly just think it will be fun!   

[bmxanddie]

miller 210 hands down

[*FFC*]

In that case, borrow when you can.

Either that or have friends that'll teach you on their welder 




















No I haven't learned to weld yet so I'm not speaking from experience

[CTENG in KS]

miller 210 hands down

I'll PM you my address and you can donate the money.   

[PAToyota]

miller 210 hands down

I like my MM250X... 

[PAToyota]

Either that or have friends that'll teach you on their welder 

I'd still suggest checking out the local schools.  You get to experiment with a lot more equipment and learn the proper ways to do things instead of someone else's bad habits (no offense to anyone intended).

[Brandon]

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=500505

or buy mine which is just the older model of it for $350 

[wa4x4]

I am signed up at the local tech school because they have a high school program but the state will only pay for me to take one tech class so I'm taking auto tech. They have a welding and metal fab class but a lot of that stuff you learn for doing it on your own and making your own mistakes. I am trying to find the cheapest welder that I can that will work for a while and that I can learn on.

[wa4x4]

And I'm going for my ASE cert. which can get some pretty high paying jobs...

[shad]

My buddy welds with a old miller 35.

Hell it's almost older than I am.

That thing is awsome definately puts out some heat.
You can pretty much do any fabrication you want with it. It welds 3/8" plate with ease.

Here's a Millermatic 35 on Craigslist for $500
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/tls/82878743.html

[wa4x4]

How much does something like that put you back?

[wa4x4]

well a better question is what is a good modern version of that.

[MiniSimp]

Here's cheap
http://www.harborfreight.com

[shad]

well a better question is what is a good modern version of that.

Who needs modern when it works good. It's not like mig welding is new.
No heat knobs just turn it off pull the plug out and then put the plug in the heat setting you want turn it back on.


I'll bet that thing has way more of a duty cycle than newer welders out there.

[wa4x4]

Yeah, I said modern only because a welder that old cant be too easy to get your hands on.

[gonzo]

Haborfreight

87 Amp, 115 Volt Flux And Mig Welder

Item 6098-0VGA
$174.99

[PAToyota]

I am trying to find the cheapest welder that I can that will work for a while and that I can learn on.

My experience has been that some of the cheapest welders are the hardest to learn on.  The stuff at HF compared to something like Miller or Lincoln really goes back to the adage about "you get what you pay for."

I was able to pick up my MM250X used for $900.  I had just about been ready to spring for a new MM210 which would have run me about $1300.

Again, take the classes first.  That will give you a much better idea of what you are looking for and the ability to judge whether you are getting a good deal on something.